Press Release

For Immediate Release: November 1, 2016

The Buffalo City Mission Kicks-Off Its 2016 Turkey Drive
To Provide a Happy Thanksgiving for Those in Need

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – The Buffalo City Mission kicks off its annual Turkey Drive today to provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal to impoverished families, the elderly and shut-ins. There are only 23 days left until Thanksgiving, and the Mission must collect 2,500 turkeys from now through November 21st to meet this need.

Lush red and orange leaves are falling from the trees, cooler temperatures have arrived, and thoughts of roasting turkey and simmering gravy are sure signs that the holiday season is fast approaching. But, many people who come to the City Mission are hopelessly struggling; some facing their first holiday on the streets, desperate for relief. “We at the Buffalo City Mission fill this need by serving hot turkey with all of the trimmings at the community meal and Thanksgiving day, because the elderly, impoverished families, and shut-ins who are struggling should have a hot holiday meal,” said Stuart Harper, Executive Director of the Buffalo City Mission. “Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, and one way to do that for people who can afford it, is to demonstrate their thanks by supporting their neighbors,” Harper said.

This year, the City Mission will feed more than 250 people at its annual Thanksgiving community meal, and will distribute more than 5500 meals to the poor and homeless on Thanksgiving Day through its annual “Turkey Express”. With the generous help of Western New Yorkers, thousands of shut-ins, the elderly, and impoverished families will have a full Thanksgiving meal again this year.

The community is asked to drop off turkeys at the Buffalo City Mission, between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. – noon on Saturdays through November 21st at 100 East Tupper Street.

The Buffalo City Mission is also seeking volunteers to help serve or deliver food on Thanksgiving Day. Registration for the Turkey Express program is open. To help a neighbor find hope on Thanksgiving, please contact us at (716) 854-8181, or view our website at www.buffalocitymission.org.

About the Buffalo City Mission
The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a nonprofit organization providing preventative, emergency, and transitional housing programs to thousands of people who are homeless and impoverished. The Mission includes a Women and Children’s Shelter (Cornerstone Manor), the Men’s Community Center, and the BCM Thrift Store located on Dick Road in Depew to serve the Western New York community. For more information, please visit www.buffalocitymission.org or call (716) 854-8181.